Paul Kelly is an Australian singer-songwriter, known for his story-telling and unique style of Australian pop-rock. His voice is often described as expressive, with a rough and raspy quality that adds to the emotional depth of his music. In this article, we will explore some of the vocal techniques that Paul Kelly uses in his singing and give you tips on how to learn them yourself.

Breathing & Breath Support

Breathing is a fundamental skill for any singer, and it's particularly important for those who want to sing like Paul Kelly. He uses long phrases and holds notes for extended periods, which requires good breath control. Breathing Basics is an excellent article by Singing Carrots that explains how to breathe for singing. Farinelli Breathing Exercise video is another helpful resource that will guide you through a simple exercise to improve your breath support.

Voice Registers

Paul Kelly is known for the dynamic range of his voice. He moves between his head voice and chest voice depending on the emotional content of the song. Voice Registers and Vocal Break is an insightful article that explains voice registers and helps you identify your own. To better understand how to move between registers, you can view the Singing Comfort Zone video that provides warm-up exercises and will guide you through a chest-head-mixed voice exercise.

Vocal Distortion

Vocal Distortion is a technique to achieve a "gritty" sound in your voice, which Paul Kelly often uses. Vocal Distortion & Growling is an excellent article by Singing Carrots that explains various techniques to achieve a distorted sound. The video How to Growl Exercise introduces the growling technique which can be incorporated in your singing.

Phrasing and Dynamics

Phrasing and dynamics refer to the way a singer approaches timing, pacing a melody, volume control, and the subtle use of vibrato. These techniques are essential for creating an expressive and emotional performance. How to Learn a Song Effectively is an informative article that can guide you through the process of memorizing a melody, phrasing, and timing. For an in-depth exercise on recorded music, check Beggars Bounce and follow along to create a sublime performance with Paul Kelly.

By incorporating the above techniques into your singing practice and utilizing the Singing Carrots resources available, you can enhance your voice to replicate the smooth vocal style of Paul Kelly. Do not forget to take care of your voice, visit Vocal Health article for tips on voice care, and gradually build up your voice as you learn the various singing techniques.